At this year's Chinatown Chinese New Year light-up ceremony on Jan. 31, 2015, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (rank Brigadier General) was accompanied by his posse of important people, including Minister Chan Chun Sing and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Sam Tan, to perform the annual mandatory set-some-stuff-on-fire-and-let's-bring-on-the-festive-cheer thing.

As part of tradition, or something, PM Lee was invited to light a real live firecracker that would explode in close proximity to his face. Check out how chill MP Lily Neo (in pink) is on the left. She actually looks like she is enjoying herself.

Photos and captions below are borrowed from this dodgy-looking Chinese website that doesn't seem to have originated from Singapore.

The photos have been imported wholesale here and accompanied by the Chinese captions that have been translated from the site for your viewing pleasure, you English-speaking-potato-eaters.

"So it seems PM is so scared of lighting firecrackers, no wonder it is banned in Singapore (doge face)"

"I light, I light, I light light light"

"Can't seem to light..."

"Wind too strong....."

"AHHHHHHH! How come I cannot light it up?"

"PM never mind, I help you"

"Ah, mission finally accomplished"

"Aye, firecrackers are scary, PM wants to sit back down to watch the programme"

"Finally can return to my seat, happy!"

"Hey hey, can watch show already"

Good one, Brigadier General!

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